LAS VEGAS – Hanging out poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino already is one of the hottest things to do in the summer, but Ashley Fires, who was crowned the winner of the Miss XBIZ Summer Babe contest moments ago, cranked the heat way up as she strutted and fire danced to claim the crown.

Competition at the second annual Miss XBIZ Summer Babe Pageant was fierce. With last year’s winner, Nikki Jayne, looking on from the judge’s table, the contestants stepped up their game to impress the judging panel.

After the contest ended, Ashley Fires and Trisha Uptown were locked in tie. It was decided that the girls would do a dance-off with the winner taking the crown, and even that ended in a deadlock, so the judges had to go to a secret ballot with Fires being declared the winner.

Co-hosted by XBIZ Associate Editor Anne Winter and MaxCash’s JSTYLES, the stage was packed with XBIZ Summer Forum attendees waiting to see the contestants in their bikinis displaying their talent.

First up was Ileana who sung a quick version of “You Are My Sunshine” and responded to the question of “what would you do if you were a dude for a day?” by replying, “screwing everyone!”

Next was late entrant Lexi Love who was wearing a cute blue bikini. She was asked what food she’d want to eat for the rest of her life if she could only eat one thing and said, simply, “peaches.”

Fires bounded onto the stage next outfitted in a red and black bikini that was accessorized with a rock ‘n’ roll style metal belt. Inquiring minds wanted to know what three things she’d bring to a desert island, she answered, “a man, a woman and sunscreen.” Fires returned later to wow the crowd with her fire dance to the Kings of Leon’s “Sex On Fire.” After she was finished, she threw ice cubes at the audience to cool them down.

Reigning XBIZ Web Babe of the Year, an award she won at this year’s XBIZ Awards, Trisha Uptown in a teal thong showed off her lap dancing skills as she got up close and personal with the judges.

Burning Angel’s Joanna Angel rocked the crowd as she pole danced to Pantera’s “Walk.” An eager audience member actually went on stage to tip her.

Other contestants included Brynn Tyler who showed off her booty shake; Kiara Diane shook things up in purple and blue fuzzy boots; Kagney Linn Karter, in a pink frilly bikini, displayed her stripper strut to AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.”

In the end, Fires was grateful to be crowned the winner and looks forward to representing XBIZ for the next year.

“Wow, I’m just really in shock that I won,” Fires told XBIZ moments after her victory. “All these girls are super sexy and I was in great company. I love XBIZ; I want to thank them very much for everything, and I’m looking forward to working with them on the XBIZ Summer Babe ad campaign and everything we’ve got planned. I’m so happy!”